ALVECHURCH | DELIGHT FOR FRY

New man at the helm sets out his vision

When Alvechurch advertised for a new manager in the wake of Ian Long’s recent departure, they admitted that it wasn’t a conventional non-League manager that they were looking for.

Instead they were searching for someone geared towards the development of young and hungry players, who would be able to progress their hybrid model.

Step forward James Fry. A young and talented coach who has been working across the age groups within the Birmingham City Academy programme.

His playing career, which included spells at Leamington, Tamworth, Stratford Town and Bromsgrove Sporting, came to an end last season after he helped Rugby Town to promotion as he turned his focus on making forward strides in coaching and management.

He is the man chosen to take the Pitching In Southern League Premier Central club into a new and exciting era.

“Alvechurch have got a strong history of helping players climb up the football pyramid,” Fry told us. “Along with a hybrid training model, it gives the club a unique selling point players who are hungry to improve and progress within the game.

“The opportunity to come in and manage a football club with this kind of background fits me as a person and as a coach perfectly.

“I feel as though I can add to the fantastic foundations that have been built at the club before me, both with results on the pitch and player development/progression off-the-field within the Hybrid model.

“Of course, I am extremely excited for the challenge that lies ahead of me here. It has all come around very quickly as you can imagine, however, my priority is to prepare the team to be successful against Long Eaton United on Saturday before getting straight down to work on enhancing the hybrid training model.”

Fry will be assisted by Steve Hensel in the role of first-team coach. The former Head of Performance at Solihull Moors specialises in sports science, nutrition and physiotherapy.

Also joining the coaching staff is the vastly experienced Richard Batchelor, who will also be registered as a player after departing Sporting Khalsa.

The remaining backroom team of Neil Reeves (Goalkeeper Coach), Dan Hines (Head Physio), Kieran Golding (S & C Intern), Martyn Simpson (Chief Scout), Ben Parkes (Performance Analyst) and Ben Nitiri (Sports Psychologist) will stay in place.

Fry’s first game at the helm sees them play host to Long Eaton United on Saturday.

Alvechurch Web Site